Bicycle-handle-bar clamp



No. 6|4,004. Patented Nov. 8, I898.

W. G. JONES. BICYCLE HANDLE BAR CLAMP.

(Application flied Mari'l, 1894. Renewed Sept. 10, 1898.)

(mi Model.)

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UNITED STATES IVALTER G. JONES, OF MANOHESTER,

NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO THE HUNTER ARMS COMPANY, OF FULTON, NEW YORK.

BICYCLE-HAN DLE-BAR CLAM P.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 614,004, dated November 8, 1898.

Application filed March 7, 1894. Renewed September 10, 1898. Serial No 690,685. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER G; JONES, a citizen of the United States,residing at Manchester, in the county of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycle- Handle-Bar Clamps; and I do declare the fol lowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertai'ns to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in means for securing the handle-bar of a veloci pede to the post or head, and has for its object the production of a simply-constructed device by which the handle-bar is capable of being adjusted to any desired position with relation to the other parts.

The invention consists, essentially, of a clamp having a sleeve of peculiar construction for the handle-bar and which in practice is contracted to hold said bar firmly at any desired angle, in means for securing the clamp to the post or head, and in the construc-v tion of the parts and their relative arrangement and operation, all of whichwill fully and clearly appear from a reading of the subjoined description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 illustrates in side elevation the post and handle-bars. central section of the same with the handlebars in another position. Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing another position of the parts, and Fig. 4 is a plan view of the clamp detached. J

Like letters of reference denote like parts in the several Views of the drawings.

In the drawings I have shown my invention applied to the post of a safety-bicycle; but it is evident that the invention is equally applicable to other types of velocipedes and that the application shown is merely for-the purpose of illustration.

Referring to the drawings by letter, A denotes the post, B the handle-bar, and C is my improved clamp. The post as usually Fig. 2 is a vertical.

7 constructed is made of tubing, and in the upper end I insert and secure, preferably by brazing, a plug d, which is made solid or bored out for a portion of its length to re duce weight, as shown in Fig. 2. This plug extends beyond the upper end of the post a distance sufiicient to accommodate the clamp, and its upper end d is reduced and screwthreaded to receive a binding-nut e.

The clamp 0 consists of a sleeve 0, which receives the handle-bar B and the jaws 0' 0 each of which is perforated at c to receive the plug d. In practice the lower jawrc is secured, preferably by being brazed-,to the top a of the post, and the upper jaw works freely on the plug, with its upper surface normally above the shoulders d formed by the reduced end of said plug.

6 is a triangular-shaped key having on one of its sides serrations e, and the sleeve portion is cut away or beveled at f to receive this key, and in practice when the sleeve is con tracted the beveled faces act on the sides of the key to force the latter inward. The handle-bar B is provided centrally with a bushing 6, which is brazed thereon, and the outer surface of this bushing is provided with a number of serrations b, which in practice engage with the serrations in the surface of the key. In the construction shown the sleeve portion will have sufficient spring to enable the opening for the handle-bar and bushing to be constructed sufficiently to bind the bar in the desired position; but, if desired, the clamp can be made intwo parts and hinged together; but for cheapness of manufacture I prefer the construction shown.

In the operation of my invention the sleeve is made of such a size as will accommodate the bushing, and this arrangement also facilitates the insertion and removal of the bar, inasmuch as the increased diameter will allow for the passage of the curved end of the bar. The plug and lower jaw being brazed on the post the handle-bar is inserted and adjusted, and the keybeing placed in position the nut e is screwed down on the upper jaw of the clamp and the opening is contracted and the key forced inward against the surface of the bushing. The serrations being of small size readily engage when the handle-bar is adjusted, and

the latter is thereby held rigidly. This arran gement permits of any desired position of the handle-bar and handles, inasmuch as the loosening of the nut Q will allow of the opening of the sleeve and the receding of the key sufficiently to allow of the bar being raised for easy riding or lowering for racing or hill work and even to be raised above the center to form an up-curve? bar. In safety-bicycles the post is secured to the head by being inserted in a split recess which is closed by a clamp, and this arrangement permits of the post and handle-bar being turned completely around, or, in other words, adjusted to or from the rider.

If desired, the plug and post may be made in one piece and will operate when so made in a manner similar to that described; but I prefer the practice of making them separately and brazing them together.

I claim as my invention 1. In a velocipede the combination with a handle-bar clamp provided with a V-shaped recess adjacent to the opening for the bar, a handle-bar having fine serrations on its exterior, and a triangularly-shaped key having on one of its sides fine serrations and adapted to engage the recess and bushing.

2. In a velocipede-handle-bar clamp, the combination of the post, the plug fixedly secured thereto having a reduced screw-threaded upper end, a nut for said end, a clamp having a lower jaw fixed to the post, an upper jaw movable on the plug, and a sleeve portion provided with a V-shaped recess, a handle-bar having a bushing provided with fine serrations, and a triangularly-shaped key having on one of its sides fine serrations and adapted to engage the recess and bushing.

The combination with a handle-bar and a handle-bar shaft, of a wedge-shaped clamping-plate arranged to bear against said handle-bar directly, a flexible socket for said handle-bar, fixed to the handle-bar shaft and within which socket said handle-bar is adj ustable, said socket partly encircling the handlebar in contact therewith, and said clampingplate intervening between said socket and handle-bar, and having an enlarged portion with an inclined inner face to bear against the wedge-shaped clamping-plate, and of means for tightening said socket so as to clamp said plate against said handle-bar.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

IVALTER G. JONES.

Witnesses:

T. J. ODONNELL, Gno. W. PRESCOTT. 

